A Retrospective on The Lake Doc Fest 2018

For me it was a very unique experience and I will definitely go again, says Priya Thuvassery

There is something about watching movies in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, over-looking a lake. It is an experience one doesn’t ever forget. Ask Priya Thuvassery, whose film Survey Number Zero, was recently screened at the sixth edition of the Lake Doc Fest or the festival of international documentaries in Naukuchiatal. Thuvassery, a film maker herself has attended many such festivals across the country but says nothing compares to the calm and intimate environment of the festival she witnessed in Naukuchiatal. “Although I have heard a lot about the film festival from my colleagues, this was my first time there and it was bonus for me to see my film being screened amongst international documentaries. For me it was a serious film viewing experience, I have never before at a film festival witnessed such enthusiastic discussions about film-making between tea breaks and group discussions. The talks gave me an interesting perspective on things. I also want to highlight the fact that there are very few opportunities in India to see international documentaries and observe what’s happening in the scene internationally. The Lake Doc Fest gives you an unforgettable experience also because of its great selection of films and obviously the environment plays a huge role too. For me it was a very unique experience and I will definitely go again.”

The festival curator Neelima Mathur introducing a film

Thuvassery’s film was the only Indian documentary besides Rahul Jain’s, The Machines, to be screened at the festival. In all, there were twelve films that were a part of the 2018 Lake Doc Fest. The Fest also gave a nod to the work of National award winning documentary filmmakers Nandan Saxena and Kavita Behl by screening their film, I Cannot Give You My Forest.

the vivacious discussions are an integral part of the festival

The brainchild of Neelima and Pramod Mathur, the festival is a yearly endeavor to promote creative endeavors in the field of documentary film-making. Over the years, the doc fest (as it is lovingly called by those familiar with it) has amassed a loyal following within the film crowd, cinema enthusiasts and students alike.